The World's Most Important HIV Conference Held at BAU

While significant progress has been made regarding the HIV virus in many countries around the world in recent years, some regions have experienced an increase in HIV infections along with population growth. Today, HIV infections are clearly on the rise in the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and Central Asia.

In light of this trend observed in recent years, Bahçeşehir University (BAU), the International AIDS Society (IAS), the Global Institute for Health and Human Rights (GIHHR) and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye organized, with the support of the OPEC Fund for International Development , a consultation meeting titled "A Rights Based Approach to HIV: Inclusion and Support - Second High Level Consultation Meeting on HIV in Conservative Social Settings."

At the meeting held at Bahçeşehir University on 30–31 January 2016 (Saturday–Sunday) , politicians, academics and opinion leaders from about 10 countries came together. Throughout the meeting, the nature of the HIV epidemic, intervention strategies and possible cooperation between local and international agencies were discussed.

At the meeting, attended by a representative of the World Health Organization, the World Health Organization's advisor to the Ministry of Health and a representative of the International AIDS Society, roundtable discussions and presentations were held, and the HIV virus was examined from cultural, social, religious and governmental perspectives.